By NED X. GRIFFEN

Makowicki now weighs 240 pounds thanks to Norwich Free Academy's weight training program. It has helped make the senior into a beastly linebacker.

"He's a different player at 240," Wildcats coach Jemal Davis said. "You get that size, you get that confidence and that (level of) play."

Davis and his staff have put an emphasis on hitting the iron. Six platforms were purchased before this season so that 45 players could work out at a time. The staff also put up boards listing record lifts to motivate the players.

"(Those were) some of the things that I was part of when I played football at UConn," Davis said. "One of our mottos is, 'proper preparation prevents poor performance.' We utilize that not only for them in football but in terms of life.

That's why we are here (in the finals) because they have committed to being prepared, and that's obviously demonstrated through their commitment in the weight room. … The growth in our players in size it's just so visible. It's just mind-boggling."

You will have to make a concerted effort to ignore this weekend's finals. Something along the lines of locking yourself in a crypt, then having said crypt encased in carbonite and dropped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The finals have become such a big-time attraction that they'll be broadcast on espn3.com thanks to its partnership with PlayOnSports, which has a partnership with the CIAC. Circle of friends.

We recommend (for one last time this season) that you follow all the games in these simple ways:

■ GO TO RENTSCHLER FIELD. Spare us your sniveling that, "it's too far". You live in Connecticut, the second-smallest state in The Union. One employee at Polecat Enterprises has relatives that drive two hours to get to the movies in the great Republic of Texas.

(No whining, either, about ticket prices. You blew that and more and that to see that awful "Red Dawn" reboot. You fool. You should've saved the $$$$ and rented the original. Sure, it made no sense that the Ruskies, Cubans. and Nicaraguans could invade MIDDLE AMERICA, but, hey, fear and loathing the Soviets was big in those days, so we suspended our disbelief. Kids, you can read more about the Cold War at your local library. Or look it up on you iPad.)

WORDS: NFA has the speed advantage. The Falcons have more bulk (like almost 1,400 pounds worth of bulk on the offensive line). The Wildcats are strong at defensive back, which makes for a fun match-up against Boyle, Luster and the rest of Xavier's passing game. NFA can expect a healthy dose of Berry. Outlow needs to get more touches for the Wildcats. He'll be the best player on the field tonight, and he had only 12 carries — including just four in the second half — in Sunday's semifinal win over Staples. Xavier must keep the Wildcats from breaking through the first level as their quickness will give it fits. NFA has proven itself during the playoffs and made a lot of doubters look dumb. It's hard to pick against Xavier, though. It throws better should the need arise. It's destroyed four playoff teams in its last five games. And it also has more experience in this kind of environment.

WORDS: "Defense wins championships" is a cliche and also not exactly true given the number of high-scoring offenses that have blazed their team to titles. Defense will be huge in this game, though, as both teams average 49 points. Ansonia's offense isn't as balanced as the Thunderbirds'. It doesn't need to be with Newsome running behind a strong offensive line. It can throw when it wants and has an elite receiver in Matos. North Branford averages 234 yards passing and 227 rushing. The Chargers have the edge in experience having won Class M last season. Weaver set a state-record for most points in a final when it burned through Darien, 69-26, in the 1999 Class M final. Let's see if either Ansonia and/or North Branford can top that.

WORDS: Hillhouse's losses were to state finalists Hand and Xavier. The Redcoats only loss was to Platt (34-14). Platt ran on all but nine plays with quarterback Andrew McBride and Justin Potts combining to run 56 times for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Berlin is facing an even bigger rushing threat in the Academics. They lead the state in offensive yardage (5,620) and average 401 yards rushing. Cooper is also the state's fastest player. Anderson, Cooper and Moore all helped Hillhouse win the 2010 state title. Gombotz (ankle) didn't play in Sunday's semifinal win over Weston and will be a game-time decision. Berlin needs him. The Academics better not get overconfident, though. It took Guilford lightly in Week 6 and miraculously escaped with a 20-18 win (Cooper sat out that game to rest his injuries).

WORDS: Windsor has a great offense. It's among the state leaders, averaging 464 yards, and Fleeting is a dynamic and dangerous force. The Tigers defense is scary, though. It's painful watching the way they paste opposing players. Given the choice of getting hit by Walsh, or shaving with a cheese grater and using tabasco as aftershave lotion. .... please pass the sauce. Hand is also, um, an old hand in big games. It won last season's state title. It's beaten Hillhouse, Xavier and West Haven this season. And it's taken every team's best shot since being ranked No. 1 after its midseason win over Xavier.